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December 29, 2005
Gateshead's population increases again
For the second year running, Gateshead borough has shown a small increase in population (after so many years of decline).
Councillor Mick Henry, Leader of the Council, claims that this is "...a welcome sign that the population decline has stopped and is in fact beginning to reverse". "The reason for the change appears to be an increase in people moving into Gateshead..."
The current population figure for Gateshead borough is 191, 300.
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Northern Architecture - events in 2006
My Home: Our Place
November 2005 - April 2006
www.myhomeourplace.com
January 9 2006
House Party - social event and discussion
10am - 12noon, Newcastle
Has your home been good to you, as you've got older? This informal event invites all older people to join the Elders Council to share coffee, cake, stories and ideas about what makes a good home and why good housing is important as we age. For more information and venue details please contact Lowri at Northern Architecture or email lowri@northernarchitecture.com
February 9 2006
New forms for new neighbourhoods - Talk, seminar
5.30pm, Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens
Proctor Matthews Architects have been bringing the highest quality design to regeneration projects across the UK since 1998. Steve Proctor will talk about the new house-types they have developed for the Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Area as well as their work at New Hall, Harlow, which achieved the Building For Life Gold Standard in 2003.
Drinks will be served following the talk.
And also...
Designs on Sunniside - Exhibition
Newcastle University students will present their designs for new homes in Sunniside, Sunderland, developed in partnership with Sunderland Housing Group.
March 1 2006
Make the most of what you've got - Talk, seminar
5.30pm, Caedmon Hall - Gateshead Library
Developers Urban Splash will talk about their current projects including the controversial Park Hill estate in Sheffield and the remodelling of terraces in Salford. Whilst Britain experiences the biggest expansion of the national housing stock since the post-war era, is the clearance of failing housing always the answer or can the vision of developers like Urban Splash breath new life into what we've already got?
For up to date information on events and news visit the My Home Our Place website
www.myhomeourplace.com
My Home Our Place is kindly supported by:
University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumbria University, Northern Architectural Association, Newcastle City Council, ONE NorthEast, Ryder HKS, SUMO Design and Anders Elite
Northern Architecture
Blackfriars
Monk Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4XN
T 0191 260 2191
F 0191 222 1003
W www.northernarchitecture.com
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December 20, 2005
A message from the Arts Development Team at Gateshead Council
A very merry Christmas to all our Cultural & Creativity Ambassadors in Gateshead schools and nurseries
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Storytelling at Caedmon Hall - Ambassadors go free
A Bit Crack Storytelling presents:
Jasna Held
Greetings from Dubrovnik
at Caedmon Hall, Central Library, Prince Consort Road, Gateshead
7.30pm.
0191 433 8420
£8 / £4
Gateshead's Cultural Ambassadors have the advert via today's e-bulletin which they should bring along for free entry.
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December 14, 2005
Seven Stories and Faber and Faber Competition
IRON MAN COMPETITIONS
FOR NORTH EAST SCHOOLS
The Iron Man is a modern folktale which captures the timeless spirit of storytelling and was written by Ted Hughes in the late 1960s. It is being reissued by Faber and Faber with a new jacket this year.
Seven Stories, the centre for children's books, are running several competitions for children of all ages.
1. KS2 pupils working with their teacher are invited to create an Iron Man Model inspired by Ted Hughes’ story The Iron Man and win a collection of Ted Hughes’ books as well as a VIP group visit to Seven Stories and the opportunity for entries to be displayed alongside the work of Britain’s foremost illustrators today.
2. KS2 pupils working with their teacher are invited to enter a creative writing competition inspired by Ted Hughes’ story The Iron Man and win a VIP group visit to Seven Stories.
3. KS3 and KS4 (Years 7-11) Art and Design Technology pupils working with their teacher to create an Iron Man Sculpture inspired by Ted Hughes’ book. The prize will include a collection of Ted Hughes’ books for your school library as well as a VIP group visit to Seven Stories and the opportunity for all entries to be displayed alongside the work of Britain’s foremost illustrators today.
The deadline for submissions will be Friday 20 January 2006.
For an entry form and terms & conditions please contact Helena McConnell:
E helena@sevenstories.org.uk T 0845 271 0777
The full advertisements are attached here:
Download file
Download file
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Leadership Development Opportunity
MusicLeader North East are pleased to inform you that The Sage Gateshead is offering a FREE training opportunity for Music Leaders to develop their leadership skills in managing projects, people and teams.
This 6 week course, led by Katherine Zeserson (Director of Learning & Participation at The Sage Gateshead), will run fortnightly on Mondays from 3.30pm to 6.30pm starting on Monday 23 January, in the Music Education Centre of The Sage Gateshead. The final date will be Monday 3rd April.
Topics will include:
- Focusing on Purpose
- Delegation
- Negotiation
- Conflict Resolution
Please RSVP by Wednesday 21 December if you would like a place on this course. Places are limited to a maximum of 12 and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Participants must be registered members of www.musicleader.net (registration is free!) and be able to commit to attending all six sessions; 23rd January, 6th and 20th February, 6th and 20th March and 3rd April.
Louise Taylor
Music Leader North East Coordinator
The Sage Gateshead
Tel: 0191 233 3859
www.musicleader.net
Music Leader North East
Holy Jesus Hospital
City Road
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 2AS
The Sage Gateshead Switchboard: 0191 443 4666
The Sage Gateshead Box Office: 0191 443 4661
www.thesagegateshead.org
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A Gateshead teacher's report of a school visit
Durham Cathedral is one of the Ambassadors’ network Cultural Partners. Here is an account of a recent visit by one Gateshead School this year by Mrs Anne-Marie Ollivere of Oakfield Infant School.
“This is the third year in a row that I have taken my year two class to Durham Cathedral. We tend to go as part of our Christianity topic in the Autumn term. The children are always amazed by the sheer size of the cathedral and it brings the lives of Cuthbert and Bede to life for them. During the visit there are lots of activities to keep the children busy. In the morning session we have always been given a thorough tour of the cathedral, pointing out many interesting facts. This year it was most impressive as the children were encouraged to touch and feel, which really appealed to the younger children.
The afternoon session is made up of a series of workshops, one of which was to decorate one section of the rose window. When we got back to school we were able to put all of the sections together to create our very own stained glass window. We have great memories of the visit and we will definitely be going again next academic year. “
Mrs Anne-Marie Ollivere
Year Two Teacher
Oakfield Infant School
Gateshead
December 2005.
The Education staff at Durham Cathedral can be contacted on:
0191 386 4266.
http://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/
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The Mimosa Club
Darlington Arts Centre
16 December 8pm. Doors open 7.30pm
Tickets £7.00 and £4.00 (concessions are for unemployed people, students and all disabled people)
Performance is BSL interpreted
Northern Disability Arts Forum has re-launched and changed its name to arcadea. It has also launched a new programme of activities around Training and Professional Development of Disabled Artists including one to one DNA support and a mentoring scheme for artists in the North East of England. There is also a new artistic programme including theatre, dance and visual art. We've also created the mimosa club which is a new touring event with a changing programme each night and proves to be feisty and irreverent whilst showcasing the best in Disability Cabaret. The first gig is at Darlington Arts Centre with Mat Fraser as MC. Also from the national circuit Caroline Parker, will be performing an unparalleled Bohemian Rhapsody. Biting comedy from Grin and Bare It Theatre Company, great new music from Karen Sheader, contemporary electronic-trance didgeridoo from Kev Howard, and a hilarious short film with a twist from Roaring Mouse called Nuts For Pudding which recently won an award at the Oska Bright Film Festival. There's also a 'not-so-open' mike slot for local artists.
For more information contact arcadea on 0191 222 0708 / minicom 0191 261 2238 / info@arcadea.org
Darlington Arts Centre Box Office : 01325 486555 / Minicom 01325 489 094
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New Writing North - Writers Awards 2006
Northern Writers Awards 2006
deadline - 12pm, Friday 30th Jan 2006
The Northern Writers’ Awards exist to support writers, both new and established, who live and work in the North East of England. There are now four different types of awards, from support for talented new writers to specific support for established writers working on new projects.
This year, awards will be given up to the value of £25,000. An independent panel of professional writers, which changes each year to ensure a variety of tastes, judges the awards. Judges for the 2006 awards are novelist Paul Magrs and poet and current North East Literary Fellow, Colette Bryce. Clair Malcolm, director of New Writing North, will chair the judging panel.
For further information, please contact New Writing North, 2 School Lane, Whickham, Newcastle upon Tyne
NE16 4SL.
T: 0191 488 8580
E: holly@newwritingnorth.com.
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Board members wanted
Creativity Works is the group name for the Children's Warehouse, Artstore and SCRAP project in Newcastle upon Tyne. It is a charitable business that promotes the creative use of waste materials for arts and craft activities for children and young people. It currently needs people with expertise and understanding of the arts community to join the board.
For further information:
T: Lynn McCarthy on 0191 242 1612
E: lmccarthy@childrens-warehouse.org.uk.
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December 8, 2005
Howard Goodall - coming from the heart
Saturday December 10th - 1.45pm - 2.30pm
Katharine Shears Studio - The Sage Gateshead
As part of The Sage Gateshead and Fivearts Cities partnership, Howard Goodall - composer, broadcaster, writer and passionate advocate of music education - is holding a discussion and presentation on the past, present and future of music education. He will confront the many misconceptions and myths that often attach themselves to this subject. Howard is a key figure in the fast developing landscape of music-making and young people and holds particularly strong views on the contribution that composers can and should be making to music education. He will also be discussing the dynamic, changing role of musical theatre for young people, with reference to A Winter's Tale: a new musical based on Shakespeare's play The Winter's Tale, commissioned by The Sage Gateshead.
The talk is free, however pre-booking is essential through the Ticket Office at The Sage Gateshead, 0191 443 4661
Beverley Gray
Department Manager
Learning & Participation
direct: 0191 443 4681
switchboard: 0191 443 4666
box office: 0191 443 4661
www.thesagegateshead.org
The Sage Gateshead, St Mary's Square, Gateshead Quays, Gateshead, NE8 2JR
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Free lectures at Newcastle University - Spring 2006
The new 'Insights' public lecture programme has just arrived with the usual variety of topics and speakers.
Lectures take place at the Curtis Auditorium off Percy Street, Newcastle, unless otherwise stated.
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A Century of Toy Trains - exhibition at Newcastle Arts Centre
25th November - 24th December 2005. admission free 10am-4pm. Mon-Sat.
See them run - Saturday 10th and 17th of December 10am - 3 pm
0 gauge electric, clockwork and maybe live steam! . Lionel , Bassett-Lowke, Hornby
See vintage trains dating back to before the First World War and meet members of the
Hornby Collectors Association at special running days at Newcastle Arts Centre.
Bring the children to see the toys of grandad's and maybe great grandad's era!.
See them run, see the smoke! hear the bells and horns as they wizz round the Christmas Tree.
See the exhibition which includes the original 1920's cigarette card promotion which encouraged
families to smoke thousands of cigarettes to get a toy train for free! or risk electrocution
with early electric toys connected directly to the mains power supply!
Collectables for sale at sensible prices. including Hornby 0 and Bachmann brass
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Text and photography Mike Tilley © 2005 tel.0191 2615618
A century ago world speed records were held by steam trains and many a child’s ambition was to be an engine driver. At the end of the 19th century, a new industry of toy making and toy shops was born. The new consumerism would see model trains develop as objects of desire from their practical beginning as engineering prototypes and educational toys.
“A Century of Toy Trains� traces product design and the social and economical changes reflected in this history through an exhibition of graphics and working models.
This painting depicting a 'Hornby' train set of the 1930's was first used for a promotional Jigsaw by the Great Western Railway,
later the same image was 'recycled' by Chad Valley as a box label to sell there simple clockwork train set.
By 1900 Steam power had shaped the Victorian age with the Railways being the new economic and social driving force. Rail had become the fastest form of travel and rail routes had a massive influence on the shape of towns and cities. Little wonder that a small boy might wish to drive an express train. The 19th century had become the first machine age when talented engineers were the driving forces and mechanical skills were at a premium. At the end of the Century the motor car and aircraft hardly existed and the electrical industry was just underway. Yet within just 20 years the new technologies and media that would drive the 20th Century were established. Surprisingly toy railways hardly existed before 1900, a mass market for leisure even for children was yet to emerge.
Steam engineering had begun more than 100 years earlier with mechanical models, engineering prototypes to try out ideas, experiment and demonstrate while Children’s toys were simple play things. It would be many years before toys would be regarded as objects of creative play and imagination. Engineers used models to develop skills and understanding of how things work and are constructed. The model engineer and the toymaker had different motivations but used similar craft skills and small workshops. Engineering models were used for product presentations but would become desirable objects in there own right. Model engineering grew from being miniature prototypes to being a constructive hobby supported by commercial makers of parts, specialist societies and magazines.
At the beginning of the 20th Century toy factories hardly existed and manufactured mechanical toys were surprisingly crude. In fact playthings were often homemade and sold by street vendors. A few small workshops were producing expensive but simple steam powered toy engines that bore almost no relationship to the real railway. Most toy trains were push along toys that demanded imagination as there was no track, stations, or signaling.
It was the German clock making industry that provided the know how and skills to produce some of the first clockwork toys and this was combined with the tinprinting methods used to make biscuit tins, tea caddies and the like.Thin tin plated steel became the basic material of the toy industry, it could be decorated by printing, cut out by dye stamping and rolled, folded or stamped into shape. In this way ‘Tin Toy’ production quickly became an industry with a premium on ingenious design and mass production technology.
Prior to the First World War German toys established a world wide market and trains by Bing, Marklin and Carrette were and still are the most prized products of the age. There was also construction kits of parts to assemble mechanical models one of the first of these was Frank Hornby’s ’Mechanics Made Easy’ which became Mecanno and would grow to become Britain’s leading toy manufacturer and exporter .
In Britain model railways began as model engineering built at home or in a workshop from basic parts that required considerable skill to build a working model. Early model trains were mostly the pastime of the rich, they were built as miniature railways to run, powered by steam, in a large garden or country estate. New companies were established to meet this affluent market to supply parts and finished models and build complete miniature railway. Garden Railways were on a much bigger scale than of today with a gauge of up to 15 inch and capable of hauling 90 persons. Such toys were only for the very wealthy as in 1922 Bassett-Lowke could ask the princely sum £750 for just one model locomotive. Bassett-Lowke as company was very class conscious and aware that it made playthings for the rich and it would be this status that marked its rise and fall.
The table top scale model railway was a miniaturisation of the garden railway and a move from expensive hand made engineered products to the more affordable output of a modern toy factory. As ever the toys of the rich became a mass aspiration, and objects of desire.
Cover of a Bassett-Lowke catalogue about 1938, note the adult male hand and the pinstripe suite. only about 200 of this model was sold.
Click for page 2 .. page 3 ..
Text and photography Mike Tilley © 2005 tel.0191 2615618
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Details Art Store to develop a Model Railway Department
Details has recently added Humbrol products to its stock list and is pleased to announce that it is
now a Bachmann dealer
with a small but growing stock of northern Branchlines 00 and Brassworks O gauge locomotives.
Brassworks 08 shunter 0 gauge. Details price £295.
Bachmann 'Great Central' 00 gauge. Details price £76.50
Bachmann LNER K3 . 00 gauge. Details price £59.50.
New Brass 0 gauge Flying Scotsman due in soon.
More in store! including vintage items.
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Each a Glimpse and Gone......
AN EXHIBITION OF RAILWAY PHOTOGRAPHY
BY COLIN GIFFORD
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December 7, 2005
Christmas Crafts exhibition
Evening Preview - Wednesday 7 December at 6.00pm
Gateshead Visitor Centre, St Mary’s Church.
An opportunity to buy friends and family that unique Christmas present from this beautiful craft exhibition at Gateshead Visitor Centre.
Work includes a diverse range of jewellery and ceramics from established regional and national makers. The preview evening will include a performance by Gateshead Children’s Choir. Exhibition continues throughout December.
Refreshments and Gateshead Council staff discount available.
Gateshead Visitor Centre, St Mary’s Church,
Oakwellgate, Gateshead, NE8 2AU
Tel: 0191 477 5380
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THE NEWCASTLE ART SHOW - open studio exhibition
Ceramics Studio, Blackswan Courtyard
69 Westgate Road, Newcastle (three mins from Central Station).
Tuesdays to Saturdays, all of December
10.00am - 5:00pm
Free entry
ceramics, sculpture, jewellery and other work
LISA deLARNY
CHARLIE ALLEN
DAVID FRY
JILL HLALO
JOSH ALLEN
For more information, contact David Fry on 0191 2617512
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December 6, 2005
Science Lectures at Newcastle University
All lectures take place at the Curtis Auditorium, off Percy Street.
John H Holmes Memorial Lectures for 10-14 year-olds
Tuesday 24 January
Young Science - Stone Age to Space Age
BABYLON TO BACON
NOTE:
Note: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Wednesday
25 January
Young Science - Stone Age to Space Age
BODIES AND BRANES
NOTE:
Note: 5:00pm-6:00pm
Thursday
26 January
Young Science - Stone Age to Space Age
BOUNDARIES AND BEYOND
NOTE:
Note: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
For background, go to:
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/press.office/lectures/flyer.phtml?ref=1132578654
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What is NEMLAC?
NEMLAC … is the regional strategic development body for Museums, Libraries
and Archives in the North East of England.
Their mission is to champion and support the sector's unique role in enhancing the cultural, social, educational and economic life of our region. They aim is that every school uses the resources of museums, libraries and archives as part of their learning provision and support.
Their learning page is at:
http://www.nemlac.co.uk/knowledge.htm
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Christmas and birthday cards in Braille
If you would like to send a Christmas or birthday message to someone who reads Braille, contact AIRS. Just send us the original card with your message on a separate piece of paper and we will braille the message on to the card for you. It only costs 50p and turnaround is generally within a couple of days.
Contact Ann Ruddick in AIRS on 0191 433 8453 or just call in - we're in the old Council Offices building on Prince Consort.
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Free sessions at The Sage Gateshead with Wajahat Khan
The world renowned Sarod virtuoso, Wajahat Khan, presents a series of FREE discovery sessions and talks for music teachers, professionals and the public at The Sage Gateshead from 10th - 14th December 2005. These events are all supported by the Pakistan Cultural Society.
The session on Saturday 10th is for Music Professionals, be they teachers, performers or practitioners of any kind.
On Monday 12th the session will be open to all, but Wajahat is particularly keen to present to as many children and young people as we can fit in the room! It is a discovery session, so Wajahat will be demonstrating a range of Indian Classical Instruments, and is happy to adapt it to the age range present.
Tuesday 13th is open to all, but we would like to encourage GCSE and A-level students to come if they would like to. This will be a practical fusion session, combining Eastern and Western Instruments and should result in some interesting sounds!
For booking, see the attachment.
Download file
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Get your skates on….Special price offer for Gateshead Council Employees
Visit the Gateshead Quays ice rink for a magical winter experience. Wrap up warm and enjoy the thrill of outdoor ice - skating.
Enjoy a special cheaper rate for you and your family…again and again!
From 25 November 2005 - 8 January 2006
(Excluding Christmas Day)
you can:
Save £2 off the normal adult price
You pay £3.50 (Normal price £5.50)
Save £1 off normal children’s price
You pay £3.50 (Normal price £4.50
For information on opening times, and to pre-book, please visit www.polar-productions.com
To qualify for your discount:
Turn up on the day. Pre-booking isn’t essential, however demand at weekends / bank holiday is expected to be high, so in order to avoid disappointment you are advised to make group bookings in advance.
Maximum group size is five people (you and up to four family members.)
Take ID along to prove you are employed by Gateshead Council. Either your ID badge or another form of proof of employment and one other form of ID (eg. a copy of your payslip and a utility bill, driving licence etc)
Entry to the ice-rink is at the discretion of the ice rink staff. If you forget your ID you will need to pay full price or return at a later date.
Please note: This offer is being made to Gateshead Council employees, and their families by Polar Productions. If you have any queries about the offer please contact Polar Productions on 0191 222 0440.
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Two Free Carol Concerts in Gateshead
CAROLS
by the
CIVIC CENTRE SINGERS
on Friday 16 December 2005
at 12.30pm
at The Gateshead Visitor Centre (the former St Mary's Church on Gateshead Quays)
and
On Monday 19 December 2005
At 12.30pm
Civic Centre, Central Reception
ALL WELCOME
Carol sheets available for you to join in the singing
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December 3, 2005
NEEC 2006 AS AN INSET EVENT?
Thursday 5th January 2006 will be Teachers Day at the NEEC; why not book it as an INSET event for your school?
The conference offers key speakers, networking, sharing best practice and policy development around the theme of ‘Creativity in Education’.
Booking forms and details of the programme, including teachers’ workshops, visitors and pricing are at: www.neec2006.org.uk
Posted by Peter Bolger at 8:28 AM | Comments (0)
December 1, 2005
Schools to adopt 'phonics' style of teaching reading
Today's announcement was reported by Polly Curtis, education correspondent for the Guardian Newspaper as follows.
The education secretary, Ruth Kelly, today announced an overhaul of the way children are taught to read with a return to a "back to basics" approach.
A teaching style known "synthetic phonics", where children learn the letter sounds as the building blocks to words, was recommended in a review of the teaching of reading published today by the former schools inspector Jim Rose.
Ms Kelly immediately adopted the main finding. "Phonics should be central, it is central, but what we are doing is we are accepting Jim Rose's recommendation that it should be taught first and fast," Ms Kelly told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
She also denied accusations that she was adopting Conservative policy after the shadow education secretary, David Cameron, made the issue part of his election campaign. Phonics was already part of the national literacy strategy and today's announcement would only enhance that, she said.
New learning materials to help teachers with the new system will be in place in schools by September, Ms Kelly said. Phonics went out of fashion in the 1960s when it was replaced by a system which relies of children learning whole words - and their meaning - in one go.
The argument against phonics is that while it speeds up the rate that children can read words, it does not aid their comprehension of what the word means.
The Rose review was triggered by a seven- year study of the teaching of phonics to 300 children in Clackmannanshire in Scotland. The research put the children up to three years ahead in reading, but did not show a significant improvement in comprehension of words.
The report published today also recommended:
· That teaching reading through phonics should be preceded by attention to developing children's speaking and listening skills;
· Systematic, direct teaching of synthetic phonics should be the first strategy taught to all children learning to read, introduced by the age of five;
· Some children will need more intensive intervention - they should get "catch-up" support lessons; and
· Teaching of phonics should be monitored to maintain standards.
Continue reading the article...
Mr Rose said: "This review comes at a time when it is widely accepted by practitioners, teachers and researchers that phonic work is essential though not sufficient in learning to read and write. Despite this positive consensus about the importance of phonic work ... there are deeply divided professional views about how phonic work is best taught.
"The review is therefore centred on judging the best way forward from the standpoint of the learners, that is to say children who are beginner readers and writers."
The shadow education minister Nick Gibb said: "Since the Conservative party were proposing a synthetic phonics policy during the general election, obviously we welcome Ruth Kelly's decision to adopt the recommendations of the Rose review."
Edward Davey, the Liberal Democrat education spokesman, said: "Rose has struck a careful balance, that should give teachers enough leeway to consider each child's individual needs, after the unfortunate politicisation of this issue.
"What should not go unnoticed is Rose's greater emphasis on the importance of quality teaching, irrespective of method."
Posted by at 10:59 AM
Early Arts Network North East
An Arts Council England initiative, we look forward to passing on more information to our Early Years Cultural Ambassadors about this new network in 2006.
Posted by at 10:37 AM